United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd Fl.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

Telephone (214) 659-8600
Fax (214) 767-0978

FOUR DALLAS AREA RESIDENTS SENTENCED FOR ROLE
IN FRAUDULENT IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT SCHEME

United States Attorney Richard B. Roper announced that four individuals who pled guilty to participating in a fraudulent document scheme were sentenced today in Dallas by the Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn, United Stated District Judge.

Judge Lynn sentenced the ringleader, Esmeralda Vidal, a/k/a Esmeralda Cavello, Maria Guadalupe Luna, Lupe Luna and Lupe, to 60 months imprisonment. She was also ordered to pay $167,050 in restitution to the victims, with joint and several liability for such restitution against all defendants. Vidal pled guilty in July to one count of conspiracy to transfer false identification documents and two counts of transferring false identification documents. Judge Lynn ordered that she surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on January 24, 2006 and is on electronic monitoring until that date.

Co-defendants Emily Young, Jackie Cavello Rodriguez, and Robertine Gonzales, a/k/a Tina, were also sentenced today. They each pled guilty this summer to one count of conspiracy to transfer false identification documents. Emily Young, already in custody, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. Jackie Cavello Rodriguez was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment and Robertine Gonzales was sentenced 15 months imprisonment. Ms. Rodriguez must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on January 24, 2006 and Ms. Gonzales on February 28, 2006. Co-defendant John Gilbert Cavello has pled guilty to one count of possession of a false identification document and will be sentenced on April 12, 2006.

Vidal and the others conspired to transfer false identification documents, including birth certificates and Social Security cards, to illegal aliens and others for their use and the use of their family members and friends who were illegal aliens. These users desired the identification documents to facilitate their ability to gain employment as well as to travel within and outside the United States. The conspiracy to transfer false identification documents was directed in large part by Vidal, who along with Rodriguez, Young, and others, solicited potential buyers directly or by word of mouth. They were also assisted in the conspiracy, in various ways, by co-defendants Emily Young and Robertine Gonzales. Rodriguez is Vidal’s daughter, and Gonzales is Vidal’s sister. Potential buyers of the identification documents were promised authentic identification documents and were typically required to pay in advance of receipt of the documents. In many instances, moneys were paid but no documents were actually delivered. Those that were delivered were false.

From about November 15, 2004 to March 2, 2005, on one or more occasions, Vidal, along with Young, Gonzales and Rodriguez, provided several individuals with fraudulent Social Security letters indicating the agency’s receipt of the individual’s application for a Social Security card and the fact that the individual would receive his/her card shortly. Vidal, either directly or through Rodriguez and Gonzales, among others, received several thousand dollars in cash from various persons for Social Security cards and/or birth certificates.

United States Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Saldaña.

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